The City star is relishing the challenge and has backed Roberto Mancini’s men to win.

He said: “We respect United but we are at home and confident against anyone on our own pitch.

These are the games I love because it is a challenge against a strong team.

“Matches like this are why I love being a footballer. I enjoy the pressure and expectation and everything that goes with it.

“Some guys get stressed about situations like this, but it’s all water off a duck’s back to me. The eyes of the football world will be on Manchester and this is a game everyone will want to see – and that suits me fine.”

City boss Mancini hit back at Sir Alex Ferguson as the war of words ahead of tomorrow’s game came to the boil.

The United manager reckons the Blues get too many penalties and insisted there would be a “House of Commons inquiry” if his side got the same amount.

The Blues have been awarded four spot-kicks in their last three home games and Ferguson fears referee Martin Atkinson might give them another one.

Mancini reckons Ferguson is a hypocrite and accused United of cheating to win penalties last season, labelling Ashley Young a diver.

Both sides have been awarded 21 penalties since the start of the 2010-11 season and Mancini, impersonating a diver, said: “I remember very well last year when Young was swimming in the (sea). Four or five times in the last 10 games (it happened) and no-one said nothing.

“This can happen. Fergie is clever for this. He is probably saying it ­deliberately. He is clever. I think in the last 15 years some penalties for them, not a lot but two or three, have been ­(debatable).”

Mancini says United are ­favourites to reclaim the title and fears his misfiring strikers could ruin the Blues’ chances.

City have scored 37 goals in all competitions this season compared to 66 at the same stage last year.

The Italian said: “United are favourites. They are better than us. I believe this because they have a strong mentality, they can play in two strong competitions like the Premier League and Champions League and we probably don’t have this strength at this moment.

“We have good players but we need to improve this situation because we don’t score a lot of goals.

“United have scored 10 more goals than us. Our season depends on our strikers.”